PARIS ATTCKS: Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama edge closer owing to common threat of Islamic State

In a striking shift, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin are embarking on a tentative path toward closer ties and possible military cooperation, as the bitter rift over Ukraine gives way to common cause against the Islamic State group.

After weeks of accusing Moscow of propping up Syrian president, Bashar Assad, by bombing US-backed rebels, Obama changed his tune this week, praising Putin as a “constructive partner” in a nascent diplomatic effort to resolve Syria’s civil war.

Putin, too, has issued conciliatory signals, softening his tone about the US and calling for the US and Russia to “stand together” against the extremist threat.